Bumper crop of speeders has Edmonton police warning of the dangers

EDMONTON – As driving conditions improve this spring, police say the number of motorists driving over posted speed limits is increasing.

The driver of a BMW was nabbed travelling 216 km/h on Anthony Henday Drive, prompting police to warn motorists of the dangers of speeding. The posted speed limit on the Henday at that location is 100 km/h.

Police say another case involved a motorist travelling 120 km/h on Jasper Avenue, where the posted limit is 50 km/h.

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“People who choose to ignore posted speed limits risk receiving hefty fines, demerits or the suspension of their driver’s licence,” acting Staff Sgt. Gary Lamont of the EPS traffic unit said Tuesday in a news release. “What people fail to realize is that their reckless behaviour could one day end up taking a life, possibly their own.”

Lamont said police use “whatever resources we have at our disposal to address this ongoing problem,” including using the police helicopter Air One.

Gerry Shimko, executive director with the City of Edmonton’s Office of Traffic Safety, said a compulsory court appearance is required when drivers are detected at 51 km/h over the legal limit.

“The substantial increase in speeding drivers as the weather warms up puts all road users in harm’s way,” Shimko said. “Among the dangerous road-user behaviours that drivers are demonstrating is driving well in excess of the speed limit.”